I'm leaving late tonight for France. I wear my phone with a crossbody strap (Bandolierstyle.com), with one credit card and my drivers license as ID in the tiny attached side wallet, along with an emergency $20 or €20. I keep the card I use the most for travel in my Apple Pay (in Scandinavia I was able to use this exclusively). In my regular wallet (which I almost never have to take out) I keep that same card and my debit card. So I'm traveling with one debit card and 2 credit cards including Apple Pay. Is that enough? I'm having second thoughts and feeling insecure. I travel alone so there is no partner backup. I have a waist belt that I should use more than I do. (I live near and am frequently in NYC and have never worn a waist belt there). I guess I could wear one and put a third card there, but do I need the third card and do I need to wear the hidden waist belt? Should I put another card in my Apple Pay? Keep in mind that I rarely have to go into my crossbody Sportsac bag because whatever I need is in my phone case.
Posted by
Duluth, MN🌲
11570 posts
Well, I am someone who has 11 credit cards in Apple Pay, so I will always vote for more. 😊 I once went on a two-week trip, and accidentally left my wallet behind with my credit cards in it, and Apple Pay saved me, so I always want as many options as possible.
That said, I'm sure many will think I'm a little bit on the overkill side, so I think that two would be fine, but I would check to see what kind they are. For example, if one is an American Express card, I would definitely have at least two more cards that are Visa and/or MasterCard. I also think about where I'm staying. Sometimes I will stay in an IHG hotel, so I always make sure I have my IHG credit card available on Apple Pay. And of course, any airline credit cards that might be relevant.
ETA: just an FYI, I also never wear a waist belt or a hidden money belt. I've been fine with my cross-body bag, and I always make sure everything is secure.
Posted by
OP
New York
27 posts
The apple pay card is my JetBlue Mastercard, the other is a Visa card. I could easily add a card to my Apple pay. I'm a new convert to Apple pay and was stunned at how easy it made my life in Scandinavia since I never had to open my bag
Posted by
Chicago
9581 posts
I don't keep my credit card in the side wallet of my bandolier when traveling as it would be fairly easy to pick it -- I keep it inside the small purse I wear attached to the shoulder strap and that has an inside zipped pocket. Mostly I use apple pay with the phone, so the card is for the rare occasion that touch doesn't work.
I also have as a back up an ATM/debit card which I could use if the credit card were lost or compromised. It is also possible to lock your credit card on your phone when you are not needing it which lowers the possibility of the card being compromised.
Posted by
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
3199 posts
We have 4 cards and all are on Android Google Wallet. In 2M here in France, I have used only 1 both in card form and with the Wallet. No issues.
Posted by
Singapore
1167 posts
I have a credit card and two debit cards in my wallet, and two backup credit cards plus a debit card that I keep in the passport wallet in my carryon luggage (which I leave in the hotel). I normally carry €80 or so in cash, but can't remember the last time I had to use it. It's probably overkill, but no harm in being prepared!
A few thoughts - I have cards with three different banks, on the basis that I have experienced situations where one bank's entire network was down for 12 hours.
My main reason for having multiple cards is in case one is comprised and cancelled, I have a backup. I have all of them on my phone as well, and can also use my bank app for QR code payment, which is popular here in SE Asia.
I just carry my cards and cash in my wallet, the same way I do at home. I travel for work probably 1/3rd of the year, and frankly I don't feel any less safe traveling than at home, but obviously do whatever makes you feel comfortable.
Posted by
Chicagoland
2101 posts
DSG, add all of your cards, even the ones you aren't bringing with you, to your Apple Wallet.
In the event that you lose a card or it is compromised, your card company should be able to update your Wallet with the new card information.
When I had a fraud alert from Citibank, they updated my Apple Wallet with the new MasterCard number before I even finished the call to them. I could use my phone to pay while waiting for the physical card to be mailed.
Do what you are comfortable with. I travel alone and haven't used a money belt in decades.
Posted by
Munich, Germany
17 posts
I usually travel with 2 credit cards + 1 debit card, and keep them in different places. That’s pretty much the safest setup.
One thing people often mention here is not to rely on just one account - if it gets flagged for fraud, both cards can stop working.
So my setup is:
primary card in wallet
backup card in a different bag
debit card for ATM withdrawals
Also worth having some cash, especially in smaller places where cards aren’t always accepted.